"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is the resurrection of a magazine that was first published in the late 70s, and ended after only a five year run. Today, nearly 30 years later and in a totally new medium, it is once again being published by Angelo Spagnolo, a lifelong Pittsburgher and avid sports fan of all teams "Black and Gold". This site is a tribute to Pittsburgh, where the home teams all wear the same uniform colors. "It's a hard-drinkin' town with an all Pittsburgh sports problem!!!"

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

ABOVE: Big Ben, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jordan will compete along with an amateur player in the "Golf Digest Challenge". I'll let you figure out who's who in the picture above.

By now you would think that people would know not to bet against Ben Roethlisberger.

Not Tiger Woods apparently.

Roethlisberger, appearing on ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" with Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, revealed that Tiger bet him that he "Wouldn't break a hundred" on the famous U.S. Open track. The Open will be played there beginning tomorrow and Roethlisberger played the course, "From the pro tees and with Sunday pin placements".

The round was a part of the "Golf Digest Challenge". Big Ben, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jordan were all to play along with an amateur player voted on by "Golf Digest" readers.

How much he won from Woods wasn't revealed, but Ben did have some good help, last year's U.S. Open runnerup, Greensburg native Rocco Mediate. "I was thinking pars and bogeys would be good and laying up would be smart. That was my strategy. But Rocco was my caddy. He had me going for it all day. I even birdied two holes, ten and fifteen I think."

Roethlisberger, currently ranked number 120 among celebrity golfers, shot a surprising 81 on the extremely difficult course. "Oh, it's long. I'm not used to hitting driver and four iron on this many holes. The rough is very tough and you'd better hit it straight."

But where does Big Ben's heart truly lie, on the golf course or throwing passes to Hines and Company? Would he rather win the U.S. Open or another SuperBowl?

"Oh, another SuperBowl, no doubt. In fact, I want to win three more." Kornheiser, doing some fast arithmetic, noted that that would give Roethlisberger five when added to the two he already has won.

"You'd pass Bradshaw! Three more Lombardis huh," continued Kornheiser?

"Yep" Big Ben shook his head.

So now we know that Roethlisberger's career goal is to be the winningest quarterback in Steelers history and to have more SuperBowl wins than any other signal caller ever. With two rings on his fingers, Big Ben is already 40% of the way there. Don't bet against him doing it either, not with an organization like the Steelers, with a coach like Mike Tomlin and with the arsenal of weapons he has at his disposal.

Above: Big Ben hits the practice green. I'd rather see him in pads throwing a last second touchdown to Santonio!

Thanks Ben for giving us a big jolt of Steeler fever in mid-June!

Big Ben's match will be broadcast on Sunday from noon til 1:30 on the same network that refused to allow Penguin games on Mario's t.v.. There will be no jumbotron available at Heinz Field either for this event. Don't even think about it.

Well brace yourself Pittsburgh, the candid photos are starting to make the rounds. Here's a bunch of pictures from the Casa de Lemieux last Saturday where they had this one special visitor who was last there 17 years ago. Once again, this visitor went for a dip in Mario's pool as you will see...

There's a guy who owns a hockey team in Pittsburgh who throws a big party at his house whenever his team wins the Stanley Cup

His house is very regal in appearance, almost as if he's a Duke or some type of royalty.

His special friend, Lord Stanley came a calling on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, so why

... not take a dip in Sir Mario's pool? What was once legend is now hereby documented!!!

Here, Lord Stanley demonstrates his ability to do the back float to a gaggle of swimming Penguins. "Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley...you float rather handily".

As nighttime approaches, the guests leave the pool and engage in, well...

It's not like Sir Mario doesn't have enough wine!

He also has no shortage of awards.

Gino says,"Come home with me to Russia, I show you biggest thing in Moscow!!! Does his shirt say "I came to leave?"

Another view of the fabulous Lemieux estate.Gino is toting a glass of Mario's finest vintage and why not, he is the Conn Smythe winner!

"Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, bring me your brandy!"

MARIAN HOSSA POSTCARD

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO SANDY M. and DAVE W. FOR SENDING US THESE GREAT PICTURES!!!

"I hear you could scratch my back with a hacksaw!!!"

Mellon Arena

Another Pittsburgh Icon soon to be blown up. They should've made this into the "North Pole Casino". It would've been great!

Chuck Tanner Figurine

Quite possibly the worst sports likeness ever foisted upon the figurine-bobblehead collecting public

Pittsburgh Icon WITH HIS ICON

Waving The Icon He Created ! God Bless You Myron!

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If you're a new reader of "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" I'd love to hear your comments! You can either leave a comment on an individual article or email me directly if you have a story or link at: angelospagnolo66@hotmail.com. I hope you enjoy reading "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" as much as I enjoy composing it!

Jack "Splat" Lambert

"Count Dracula In Cleats". I wonder how he feels about Hines Ward getting fined for hitting people too hard?

Maz Bobblehead

Doesn't Look Like Him at all.

"The Mendoza Line"

Baseball's Equivalent of the Worst Avid Golfer. I'd like to meet him, but it could cause a crack in the "space-time continuum".

"The Poison Brothers"

We Miss You Myron

About Me

I'm well known for my golf exploits as "America's Worst Avid Golfer" (Golf Digest Magazine, 1985). I took 66 strokes on the island hole at the TPC in Florida (losing 27 balls in the process) thus the 66 on my profile. For the whole gristly story: http://commodoreclub.org/administrative/257_for_18_holes.htm/

"Beat the Broncos...

DICK GROAT

Falling Below Mendoza Line

"P.B.& G." Editor brings another title home to Pittsburgh in 1985 as "Worst Avid Golfer". Click on the photo to see CBS' coverage!

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Here's another beautiful shot of one of the world's most picturesque cities.

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT

"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is a regularly published blog site that is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the teams that it reports on (Steelers, Penguins, Pirates). All pictures are used here without prior permission. However, if we have used your picture and you would like us to take it down, we will gladly comply with your request. Our mission statement at "PB&G" is to provide an additional insight into all things Black & Gold both for current Pittsburgh residents and for those transplanted Pittsburghers who will always call "The 'Burgh" home.